Dealing with the Truth - a podcast by Lewis Marsh

The Road to the Resurrection Pt 2

Dealing with the Truth

By Louie Marsh, 3-14-2021

 

Intro – Last slide “So painful for the ego…”

 

Why did the Apostles approach the first Easter negatively when we always approach it positively. It’s joy, pure joy for us, but not for them? Why and could we be missing?

 

1) The truth is HARD.

 

“21From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (Matthew 16:21, ESV)

 

“13This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” (Matthew 13:13, ESV)

 

Some hard Biblical truths:

 

• Feelings DON’T determine truth.

 

“12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12, ESV)

 

• Fitting into your culture isn’t

 

“44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (Matthew 5:44–47, ESV)

 

• Following Jesus comes before EVERYTHING

 

“22And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”” (Matthew 8:22, ESV)

 

2) The greatest rejector of hard truth is human LOVE.

 

22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” (Matthew 16:22 ESV)

 

“46“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46, ESV)

 

• Human love vs. Christian (tough) love.

 

“14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” (Romans 12:14, ESV)

 

• Human love – SHORT TERM - God’s love – LONG TERM.

 

“24By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” (Hebrews 11:24–25, ESV)

 

3) REFUSING the truth puts me on Satan’s side!

 

 23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”” (Matthew 16:23, ESV)

 

“4And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”” (Matthew 17:4, ESV)

 

“5He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

 

 6When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”” (Matthew 17:5–7, ESV)

 

“14But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”” (Galatians 2:14, ESV)

 

 

 

 

Further episodes of River Church Sermons

Further podcasts by Lewis Marsh

Website of Lewis Marsh